#33 - Answer to the WTF#3

The Answer

Many correct or close to correct responses, but only one perfect answer, by my good friend Dave F.
Here's the item in question:

He is either a very knowledgeable guy ( true), or a great image researcher. He used the actual correct name, which is a “Song Loan”, he knew how it is used, and the country of origin...you get full marks, Dave.

Whilst in Vietnam our guide took us to a village along the Mekong, where a musical performance took place for us....here's a shot of the 3 people performing traditional country folk music piece -

It was eerily haunting and reminded both Marci & I of southern US delta blues music... funny, because this was the same type of geography half way around the world. That old guy could really play that old electric guitar.... She sang, the guide sang, a very interesting and weird 15 minutes.

But what keeps the time to the music? No drums....the guitarist, while playing, used the Song Loan to drum out a rhythmic beat that seemed perfect...with his foot...!! Look Close....

When I asked about this instrument after the show, they seemed amused that I would be interested in such a standard item in their music. They told me they called it a 'tune keeper'...I suspect they meant a time keeper for the song. It was old, well used, and I was told every band in Vietnam used this.

Here's a picture, from a magazine, of a song loan in a paint ad (??)...

So, thanks for playing #3 WTF. Dave wins a few beers with me the next time we get together.

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